The Hydra: The Many Approaches to Generative AI in the Art and Design Classroom

OpenAI launched the demo version of ChatGPT on November 30, 2022. According to an article in Forbes from May 19, 2023, this version had over one million users within five days of its release (Marr, 2023). The previous year, OpenAI launched a demo version of its AI image generator, Dall-E, followed by the stable release in August 2023. The implications of Generative AI use in higher education was first reported in The Chronicle of Higher Education on December 13, 2022, causing alarm in academia. Its quick adoption by students and its seemingly unbridled power had university administrators scrambling to understand it, and in turn, to create policies regarding its use. The reactions were mixed among art and design faculty. Some faculty rejected Generative AI and advocated for the return of blue books and in-class projects, while others advocated for its strategic use in the classroom and for assignments.

This lightning round session explores the diverse pedagogical approaches of art and design faculty to Generative AI. It endeavors to understand how Generative AI changed the way we teach and assess art and design students. Presentations must be no longer than 8-10 minutes. This session is open to all art history, fine art, and design faculty. Topics could include alternative assignments that are designed to circumvent Generative AI, assignments and projects that use Generative AI, teaching strategies and policies regarding Generative AI, and case studies of Generative AI use by art and design students.